Sneaking Veggies to Your Kids

Veggies decrease the risk of many diseases and are high in antioxidants, which boost the defense system, vitamins, and other minerals like calcium, potassium, and iron. They are low in fat and high in dietary fiber.

When buying vegetables look for plumpness and bright color. Vegetables are better eaten fresh because the longer they are kept in storage, the more nutrients they lose.

Everyone should be eating a minimum of five portions of veggies a day, so to get your kids excited about the green stuff, make it fun! Sneak vegetables into dishes your kids love:

1. Mac & Cheese with veggies thrown in, like Quick Mac with peas or Mom-Approved Mac and Cheese with carrots and cauliflower.


2. Homemade pizza topped with vegetables, like Bahamas Pizza with green peppers and pineapple or Southwestern Pizza with corn, red peppers, and yellow peppers.

3. Spaghetti and meatballs, and mix in shredded carrots, chopped mushrooms, onions and diced tomatoes.

4. Chicken noodle soup with celery, carrots, and white beans.

5. Mashed sweet potatoes with peas.

6. Go sweet with some easy Zucchini Bread!

Have you been reading this thinking "Nice try guys, there's no way my kids will go for this"? Here's a few more tips to try:

1. Start small. Don't overload a new dish with a bunch of unrecognizable veggies. Try one new veggie at a time until they get used to it and start to like it. It's very possible that your kids truly don't like a particular vegetable (I was never a fussy eater but detested lima beans - when it was the only thing I pushed aside my mom realized I honestly don't like them), but they should at least give everything a shot.


2. Keep it small. If your child thinks cauliflower is gross, having a big piece staring at him isn't going to help. But if you mash/chop/shred the veggies, it's easier to mix them in (and harder for them to pick out!).


3. Make it fun! Share fun facts about veggies, like how carrots make your vision better (just like their favorite superheroes!) or how broccoli is basically just a mini tree that you can eat.

Good luck and bon appetit!

We are happy to have Nola Solomon on board as an intern for FunnySpoon.com. As a French-American, she offers unique culinary insight on how to enjoy your food and efficiently plan for a hectic schedule. Give her recipes and tips a try!